Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Vladimir Putin: cease fire or face new, even tougher sanctions. Photo: Getty Images
The US president demands a ceasefire and threatens new sanctions on Russia, but the Kremlin is betting on further offensive in Ukraine. Sanctions pressure has already hit the economy, but Putin is not ready to give up four Ukrainian regions. Can Russia withstand another wave of Western pressure? Highlights from Reuters
Buy an annual subscription to six Forbes Ukraine magazines for the price of four issues. If you value the quality, depth, and power of real-world experience, this subscription is for you.
US President Donald Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin an ultimatum. The Russian leader must agree to a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine by Friday, August 8. If he refuses, the US will impose new sanctions and impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, primarily China and India.
Putin is unlikely to heed the sanctions ultimatum, Reuters writes. The Kremlin leader's goal – four Ukrainian regions – remains unchanged. Putin's determination to continue the war is explained by his belief that Russia has an advantage on the front, anonymous Kremlin sources told Reuters. The Russian president also does not believe in the effectiveness of new US sanctions after three and a half years of economic pressure.
Popular Category Money Date August 18 Five-year moratorium on inspections, almost no arms exports, and e-TCC. The government presented a new action program. What do businesses need to know about it?
Despite the risk of damaging relations with the White House and the West, military goals remain the main priority. Only after the complete occupation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions is Putin ready to negotiate.
Under the ultimatum's sights
The current negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia, in which their delegations have met three times since May 2025, was an attempt by Russia to show Trump that Putin is not giving up on peace. But these meetings were largely symbolic and limited to agreements on prisoner exchanges.
The Russian delegation has met with the Ukrainian delegation three times in Turkey since May 2025. So far, the outcome of the negotiations has been an exchange of prisoners. Photo by Getty Images
Russia is committed to long-term peace, but the positions of the parties remain too far apart, Reuters adds. Putin last week called the talks positive. A potential breakthrough was signaled by the announcement of a visit to Russia by Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Donald Trump, who previously praised Putin and considered doing business with Russia, has become more vocal about him, calling Putin's explanation for the war “nonsense” and describing the massive strikes on Kyiv and other cities as “disgusting.”
Following the attacks, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko called on the world to apply maximum pressure on Russia, stressing that the largest airstrike of the year, which killed 31 people, including five children, was Russia's response to Trump's ultimatum.
The trap of one's own ambitions
Putin is worried about deteriorating relations with the United States and still hopes for a resumption of trade with the West, anonymous sources told Reuters. He values his relationship with Trump and does not want to annoy him. With Russian troops advancing in Ukraine, Putin does not see it appropriate to end the war, an anonymous source told Reuters. The Kremlin is convinced that neither the army nor society will understand this.
Military action remains Putin's priority despite US sanctions. Photo: Getty Images
“We know from his previous writings and statements that he sees himself as part of a tradition of standing up to the West and the rest of the world in order to protect Russia’s interests,” says analyst James Rogers, author of the forthcoming book “The Return of Russia.”
Despite his desire not to anger Trump, Putin's top priority remains military objectives. A second anonymous source told Reuters that he cannot afford to stop the war simply because of Washington's demands.
Fantastic chance
Trump's threats of new sanctions are considered painful but not critical in the Kremlin. They doubt that he will follow through on the ultimatum, and point out that China is unlikely to give up Russian oil, and tariffs can only raise prices.
The sanctions have already hit the economy. Energy export revenues have plummeted, foreign investment has fallen by 63%, and $300 billion in Russian Central Bank assets are frozen, Reuters reports. But the Russian offensive continues, aided by munitions from North Korea and dual-use imports from China, which have allowed it to dramatically increase weapons production.
Washington had previously offered to lift restrictions and effectively recognize Russian control over the occupied territories in exchange for a full ceasefire. Putin refused. Anonymous sources told Reuters that the offer was a “fantastic chance,” but added that stopping a war is harder than starting one.
Concessions on paper
Russia is not going to stop until the summer offensive is bearing fruit, a third source confirmed to Reuters. In July 2025 alone, Ukraine lost 502 km², and in total in the last three months – the largest areas since the beginning of 2025, writes the Finnish analytical center Black Bird Group. Currently, about a fifth of the country is under occupation.
Russian troops occupied 502 km² in July 2025, according to the Black Bird Group think tank. Photo: Getty Images
The Russian General Staff reports to Putin that the Ukrainian front could collapse in two to three months. But analysts at Washington's
Category World Date July 31 Statistical somersaults for US GDP. How have Trump's tariffs affected the country's economy and is there reason to worry? Analysis
Category War Date July 28 Battle for Pokrovsk . Russia changes tactics again. How is Ukraine holding back the offensive on the most active sector of the front? Analysis Reuters
Category War Date June 22 “Ukraine needs a winning brand.” How win the battle for US support? An interview with Stephen Moore, a seasoned congressional Republican
Category World Date June 17 “Putin will sell air to Trump.” Could the war between Israel and Iran make Ukraine a bargaining chip in the negotiations? Analysis Forbes Ukraine
Category War Date July 24 “The positions of the parties remain far from each other.” Representatives of Ukraine and Russia met again in Istanbul. What was agreed upon? NYT analysis
